Cop becomes local celebrity after P-Noy SONA

MANILA, Philippines - One of three police officers commended by President Aquino in his State of the Nation Address now enjoys being a celebrity in his own neighborhood.

Police Officer 2 Dondon Sultan, 28, said some of his neighbors were not so friendly towards him in the past, perhaps because of his chosen profession.

“Maybe it’s because they have a bad impression of police officers,” he said.

When Aquino recognized him for his act of kindness to a total stranger, Sultan told The STAR, “Now they know I’m a good police officer.”

Sultan said his family, especially his two girls, were so proud of him and what he had done, especially after he was featured in news reports when he was recognized by then Metro Manila police head Director Leonardo Espina.

The recognition given to Sultan stemmed from one morning in June when he noticed a traffic jam along Quezon Avenue as he was on his way to work to the Quezon City Police District (QCPD) Station 1 in La Loma.

He changed a busted tire on a car and helped its owner bring the vehicle to a mechanic. The motorist offered him P1,000 to thank him but Sultan declined.

No risk necessary

QCPD director Chief Superintendent Richard Albano called Sultan’s act as “extraordinary.”

“He (Sultan) showed you don’t have to risk you life to help others,” Albano told The STAR.

Sultan cited a directive from his superior, QCPD Station 1 commander Superintendent Osmundo de Guzman, to be always ready to offer help to others. “He taught us that if we notice anything unusual, we should approach and be ready to help,” he said.

Sultan said he had nearly forgotten about helping the motorist. When he received a call from the National Capital Region Police Office telling him to report to Bicutan, the policeman thought he had committed a misdemeanor. 

“I did not know I had an award,” he said, adding that he did not realize his gesture would reach the President.

On Monday, as his colleagues were either facing off with protesters or going on patrol, Sultan was in Congress as one of Aquino’s special guests, along with PO3 Edlyn Arbo, who fought off and helped catch a robber despite being without a gun, and PO3 Felipe Moncatar of the Bacolod City police, who has done his job for the past seven years despite not having a gun until he was issued one earlier this month.

Moncatar said that last Saturday, he used his newly issued gun to arrest car thieves. – With Danny Dangcalan